Decision of the President and Statement of Reasons on 2025 Ambler Road Appeal
The President approved the appeal submitted by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) on June 6, 2025, concerning the AIDEA’s 2016 revised consolidated application for the Ambler Road Project, acting under Section 1106(a) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) and directing all concerned Federal agencies to promptly issue the authorizations required for establishing the project.
Arguments For
Upholding Economic Development: The action supports vital economic opportunities for Alaska by approving a necessary transportation system, aligning with the expressed intent of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA).
Compliance with Statutory Review: The decision directly follows the mandate of Section 1106(a) of ANILCA by reviewing and accepting the appeal made by AIDEA regarding its 2016 revised consolidated application for the Ambler Road Project.
Streamlining Federal Action: Directing federal agencies to promptly issue necessary authorizations speeds up the implementation of the approved project, reducing bureaucratic delays after the appeal process is concluded.
Arguments Against
Potential Environmental Impact: Approval of a major transportation infrastructure project like the Ambler Road, regardless of the appeal's outcome, raises concerns regarding habitat fragmentation, wildlife disruption, and impacts on sensitive ecosystems in Alaska.
Procedural Scrutiny: While the President is acting within the ANILCA appeal authority, critics might question whether all relevant information as required by section 1106(a)(2) was adequately considered, particularly concerning local opposition or alternative transportation planning.
Conflict with Conservation Goals: The approval may be seen as prioritizing industrial transport access over broader environmental stewardship or conservation mandates often associated with lands governed by ANILCA.
Presidential Actions
I approve the appeal made by the applicant Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) on June 6, 2025, under section 1106(a) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) and approve AIDEA’s 2016 revised consolidated application for a transportation system known as the Ambler Road Project for the reasons explained in the following Statement of Reasons. In making my decision, I have considered all relevant information as necessary and appropriate in accordance with section 1106(a)(2) of the ANILCA.
Accordingly, I direct each Federal agency concerned to promptly issue such authorizations as are necessary with respect to the establishment of the Ambler Road Project. The details of the manner in which these authorizations must be issued are addressed in the Statement of Reasons.
DONALD J. TRUMP
Dated: October 6, 2025
Click here to view Statement of Reasons
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The initial content includes the standard White House navigational header identifying the page as "Presidential Actions." It also contains navigation links for various categories of White House news, with "All Presidential Actions" currently selected.
This document itself is a formal presidential directive, dated October 6, 2025, signed by Donald J. Trump.
The President states approval for an appeal filed by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) on June 6, 2025.
This appeal concerned AIDEA’s 2016 revised consolidated application for the Ambler Road Project.
The authority for this action stems from section 1106(a) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).
The President confirms that all necessary information required under ANILCA section 1106(a)(2) was considered when making the decision.
Finally, the directive orders all relevant Federal agencies to immediately issue the necessary authorizations required to establish the Ambler Road Project, with specific details regarding the issuance process contained in an external Statement of Reasons document.